Auto turn signal



Aug. 20, 1935. w c UBY 2,011,985

AUTO TURN S IGNAL Filed April 14, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 20, 1935. Tfw. c. RUBY 7 AUTO TURN SIGNAL Filed April 14, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIII 1111 ill/III] Jlgi: 1

m4, mw fad/ fiw Patented Aug. 20,1935

UNITED STAT AUTO TURN SIGNAL Thomas W. 0. Ruby, Chester, Pa. v App'lication April 14, 1932, Serial No; 605,305 f cla s; ((1177-7329) This invention relates generally toindicators or signals and'refers particularly to a direction indicator adapted to be applied to automobiles,

buses and other vehiclesfor signalling the intention of'the operator to makea turn.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and compact. auto turn signal which may be easily and-quickly in-v stalled on any form of vehicle.

. Another object is to provide signal device which is conveniently located on avehicle so asto'be readily actuated by the operator thereof.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides more particularly in the novel combination, arrangement and formationof parts hereinafter described, pointed: out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

, i. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the front portion of a vehicle showing my auto turn signal applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the signal casing showing the signal in closed position.

Figure 3 is a viewslmilar toFigure 2, showing the signal in extended operative position.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectionthrough the signalcasing.

Figure 5 is a horizontal transverse section through the signal casing, and i v Figure 6 is a view showing the arrangement of the operating lever with respect to the mamthedoor.

;The signal proper consistsof'a baseplate '12 adapted to abut theside ofithe cowl and upon which is supported an extensible signal member l3. This signal member is of the lazy-tong type, and while it may function properlyyrith a single extensible arm, I have shown it as comprising spaced extensible arms -l4 and'l5, respectively,

said arms being secured at their outer endsby mea hsg of a cross-bar l6." Theupper' end portions of 'one' set of inner" links I! .are connected by means of a cross-bar l8; while the lower portions'of the inner'complementary links H! are pivotally connected to the lower portion of the base plate. 7 l l Thebase plate is provided with-a suitable lon- -i In'the operation of drawings and particularly gitudinal guide 20 within which is received aslidable rack'bar 2 I, the upper-end being securedto the cross-bar l8 centrally thereof. A pinion-22 is "suitably positioned upon the" base plate bymeansioi a strap 23, and is-adapted to mesh with the. rack bar for moving thesame'withinits guide. Pinion 22 is mounted upon a rotatable shaft 24 suitably journaledupOnthe' baseplate, and this shaft is adapted to extend through a 'holeor openingin the cowland to-project under the instrument board as clearly shown in Figure 2. A lever 25 issuitably clamped upon the inner end. of the shaft, andmaybe easily grasped for operating the turn signal. I I

While it is not absolutely necessary to the oper; ation ofmy device, I preferably provide an en-' closing casing 26 having front'complementary shutters Z'Ihinged to the casingand'n'ormally held in closed position; by means of springs fz28l This casing maybe either permanently, or detachably secured to the base plate asis de-1 sirable... 7 g

the device, as thus far-'de-l scribed, upon actuation of the lever 25, the. pinion 22 is rotated to move the rack bar 2| downwardly uponthe base plate, whereby the signal'm'ember Es PATEN OFFICE;

is moved from a closed inoperative positiontoan I extended outward position laterally of the motor vehicle. In this position it-may bereadily seen by motorists in rear of the vehicle, and will indicatethatthe operator intends to'make a turn.

In its closed inoperative position, my auto turn signal is completely concealedfrom view within thecasing or housing 26'. Ifthe signal "armisextended, the outer link portions engage the shutters and gradually force themto. open position, where they are held until thesignaliarm is again retracted ,;to' 'itsinoperative: position,

whereupon, becauseof the springs 28, theshut ters aremoved totheir closed position,.completely concealing the signal arm from view..' Ifdesirable, a-brilliant or any suitable indicating means may be secured to the cross bar 16. I

'prefeh'however, to include in my construction an electric lamp which may be visibleiat night, the arrangement being such that as the arm is extended; the lamp circuit will be closed'to light the lamp. Specifically, I mount a lamp socket 29 upon thecross bar I6. This socket may be'of any conventional typehaving one of its terminals in electrical contact with the cross bar and the other terminal soi arranged thatonejend of a conductor cord 30 may be suitably secured thereto'asat3l. v

1A bracket 32 ismounted upon the base plate between the'arms l4 and I5, this. bracket being.

provided with reel supporting arms 33 and134.

Suitably mounted upon the bracket is .an .in-: sulatingblock and to this block is securedlthe supporting arm 34 out ofelectricalcontactawith tatably supported between the arms 33 and 34 and is designed to receive the inner end of the conductor cord 30, the arrangement being such that the cord adapted to, be wound and unwound upon tlgie reel'gas the signal arm, ism oved from open tdclosed'positionl' While it is not absolutely necessary, I prefer-v ably provide suitable spring means for facilitating the winding of the cord upon the re'el-Las the signal arm is moved to its inoperative position.

The inner end of the conductor cord is' electrically connected to, an end plate 31; .otthe reel and thi in turn is in contact with the supporting armjlfl. The inner end of this arm is provided"with a an e: 3 .onstit ti e rone con actlm mb l 'QiJa,

' bring fi ger- 401s moun ed igpeifrendiportion fl[adapted to be moved to :andi om he .iconteq f flang &- 7 7 e-l r;- por ioni-oiep inezfin en s ui blsa n c one. end oi a conduc orlw r 1-. t e o her nds; thi w re= ext di e any-su tab e a rt on terminal of the;; vehicle battery g The other terniinal;; pi the batt mcwil accord ng to the usual us omib grounded t the metallio' bod portionzof ,the vehic rwhich, of cours wil be in. contactxw thi he base p ate. 1.2 aft r the s nal has been installed on the-vehicle; The circuit-,is

: completedv t rough the base plate 12, thecross bar, 1:8; extensible arm1l,5,,cross bar, It, andlthus tg-thewther:terminalofthe lamp socket. 'QEIIIQOICIBIftQ ,close;.the=circuit between thespring.

fi i errkflgand fiange;38-, I provide ,apresser. meme. l ber 44; pivotedtoptherinsulatinggblock and pro-f vided:.with at. Dresser. foot 451130 which is: secured a piece of insulating material 46. The .pr'esser; foot :is: also I providedlwith "a longitudinally 'eX tendingmortionfl :so positioned-as to, becengaged:

,byua depending finger "48: suitably secured. to: the

cross:-bar.a.l.8., l I ":With the J device: as above described, "the arrangement such that ;.1upon actuation .zoixthe lever ziithe signal arm is movedtoiitsiextended downwardlyiwith-the rack: 21,; thegfinger :48- grade ually comes into contact withthe longitudinally extended portion 41 oftthe .presser foot and exerts azpressure ;1ipon the: same whereby the latter. is

1 moved' about :its pivot point; i. At the same .time,

thezuinsulatingpiece 45 iisizmoved outwardly. against thespring finger 401so. that as the signal' arm nea'rs its extendedcoperativegposition, the' 'spring .finger :is. brought into-l'engagement with the flange :38, .thuscompleting the circuit and lighting. the lamp. After:theLVehiclehasj.

made the desired turn, the signal :arm' may. then be ,moved .torits retracted inoperative position, whereupon the finger 48. moves upwardly" .with

the cross bar l8 and graduallyrelieves the;pres,-

surev of l the 'presser foot upon. the .springrfinger 40;.1therebyuopening thelampcircuit and extine uishing the lamp.. n'ltishould be stated that the cross bar lfi is rigidly securedtoon'eof the'lower outer-links of iterating b ock. an is ov ed-Wi h c A 2,011,985 the remainder of the bracket. A reel 36 is rotion of the member, the lamp will'be in a substantially horizontal position between the arms l4 and I5 and in clear view between the outer .passed through the opening so that it will extend underthe instrument board 49. Any suit- 'able'sleeve fw'may be secured to the back of the jbase iplate ,and constitutes a bearing in which the shaft rotates and a face plate 5| and nut 52 may be suitably secured upon the sleeve interiorly 0f.- thegrehiclefi raelamp p th s na in POSitiO Ln e erab m it n t e-s nal s tha in it liua operative .PQ t 9 the l ve W c c ncealed from, view inzrear oi the instrument board: :In this position,;as clearly ,shown in full lineiposie tion, :E eure v6.5 it. wi l be within easy reach .101 th one t n so i th i will me y be. n cessary, for to -reaoh-up under the instrument board, grasp the lever by the forefinger, androtate the. same: to the, dotted linetposition whereby the signal arm {will be imoved from. ts closed to its: Open p sition... g I The pinion operating shaft fl; is,.preferably round in, configuration ,so that. thelever 25, may beadjustable to;any,position that maybe .reqllilied .-according to thesinside style of the; car." Furthermore, ififound ,necessary',.a tapered wash-.- er 53 may be utilized for aligning the-devicewith therooWL,1accordingto-the. taper the cowl may take; a From the foregoing, it will be apparentthatlI have... DIQVldGda-fi; .1 compact and easily operable auto:tu r.n signal which may be, .positioned within easy reach of the operator and whichcmay :be instantly actuated ,to :jndicate. .to drivers in; the rear .of thercar qthatthercar; is. about to make a turn. 1 V 1 Some changes may be made in thezconstruction and arrangement .of, theyparts of :my invention without departing from the realv spirit andpurpose; thereofgand: it is "intended to cover in: the claims ianyLmodi'fied; forms, of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably incurred.wvithinatheirscope.

.iLclaimz j; 4

.;In a". vehicle signaL-w .baseplate, an .extensie ble arm. mounted 'on said ibase :.,p1ate,;a (signal. lamp; mounted oni the: outer portio'nv of :said ex-' tenSibl'e-r; arm, .1 an electric rcircuit' for. the. lamp including :a-LsOurce qofxpo'tential, a bracket car--. ried eby. isaid ibase plate, 1 an insulating "block mounted. on. said bracket, 3. i: contact rm'ember. mounted; on rsaid.insulating 'l'block and. includedin'ilthe'i electricaltfcircuit. of. said lamp, iaxspring finger mounted on said block normallyiniclose proximity ;:to.w saiducontact wimember vandl also .din the lampycircuit; a'zlpresser footv of insulated .ma-. teriahpivotally; mountedbn. said insulating block andz-adapted to press saidzspring .fingerinto en-. gagement. with'said contact member, and :means carried by. said extensible signal' arm for. actuatmg. said-presser foot; when: said 'armisv moved to operative-positions i211 q .2 In. a vehicle signal a base member,- an extensible signal armmountedon said base member, a 1signallampymounted 011613-116 outeriportionof said extensible arm,;- a n electric circult for: the

, Iamnincmdmg a zsourceiofepotentiali a. r l r: 'ried by said base and having an end-.portion thereofiiormed of :conductive mat r alsa tconductor cord having one end thereof electrically connected to said lamp and the other end electrically connected to the conductive portion of said reel, spring means for winding the reel, one of the bearings for the reel being in electrical contact with the conductive portion thereof and constituting one element of a switch mechanism, a second switch element and means associated with said extensible arm and adapted to actuate the switch upon movement of said arm to extended position, said conductor cord, conductive portion of said reel, bearing element, and switch elements being serially included in the lamp circuit. I

3. In a vehicle signal, a base member, an extensible signal arm mounted on said base member, a signal lamp mounted on the outer portion of said extensible arm, an electric circuit for the lamp including a source of potential, a reel carried by said base and having an end portion thereof formed of conductive material, and a conductor cord having one end thereof electricallyconnected to said lamp and'the other end electrically connected to the conductive portion of said reel, spring means for winding the reel,

a bearing element for said reel in electrical contact with the conductive portion of the reel, said bearing element having a rearwardly extending portion constituting one element of a switch mechanism, a second switch element, and means associated with said extensible arm and adapted to actuate the switch upon movement of said arm to extended position, said conductor cord, conductive portion of said reel, bearing element, and switch elements being serially included in the lamp circuit.

4. In a vehicle signal, a base plate, an extensible arm mounted on said base plate, a signal lamp mounted on the outer portion of said extensible arm, an electric circuit for the lamp including a source of potential, a bracket carried by said base plate, an insulating block mounted on said bracket, a'contact member mounted on said insulating block and included in the electrical circuit of said lamp, a spring finger mounted on said block normally in close proximity to said contact member and. also in the lamp circuit, a presser foot pivotally mounted on said insulating block and having a weighted arm normally held out of contact with said spring finger, and means carried by said extensible arm for pressing the weighted arm of the presser foot against the spring finger to close the lamp circuit when the extensible arm is moved to operative position.

5. In a vehicle signal, a base plate, an extensible arm mounted on said base plate, a signal lamp mounted on the outer portion of said extensible arm, an electric circuit for the lamp including a source of potential, a contact member included in the electrical circuit of said lamp, a

spring finger positioned normally in close proxtially parallel arms each consisting of lazy tongs mounted on said support, means for simultanee ously moving said arms from collapsed to extended positions, anv electric signal lamp, means for connecting and mounting the lamp adjacent the outer ends of the arms whereby the lamp View when the lazy tongs are in collapsed position, and means for automatically illuminating the lamp when the signal member is extended.

'7. In a vehicle signal, a support, an extensible signal member comprising spaced substantially parallel arms each consisting of lazy tongs mounted on said support, a cross bar connecting the outer end portions of said arms and forming lazy tong pivots, an electric signal lamp mounted on said cross bar, means for moving said arms from collapsed to extended position, means including said cross bar and. lazy tongs for;causing said signal lamp to assume a position visible through the links of the lazy tongs in the extended position thereof and a concealed position when said lazy tongs are collapsed, and means for automatically illuminating the lamp when the signal member isextended.

8. In a vehicle signal, a support, an extensible signal member comprising spaced substantially parallel arms each consisting of lazy tongs mounted on said support, a cross bar fixedly secured to an outer end link of each lazy tong and forming a pivot for the other outer end link of each lazy tong, an electric signal lamp mounted on said cross bar, means for moving said arms from collapsed to extended position whereby said signal lamp is visible through the links of the lazytongs in extended position theresaid arms, whereby said lamp is made visible between the links of the lazy tongswhen in extended position, and said'lazy tongs when in collapsed position constitute a housing for both the lamp and reel, and a conductor cord extending between said lamp and reel and adapted to be wound upon said reel when the lamp'is in inoperative position.

10. In a vehicle signal, a support, an extensible signal member comprising spaced substantially parallel arms each consisting of lazy tongs mounted on said support, a cross bar connecting the outer end portions of said arms, an electric signal lamp mounted on said cross bar, means including said cross bar for causing said signal lamp to assume a visible position between the links of the lazy tongs when in extended position, and a concealed position between the arms when said lazy tongs are collapsed, a reel mount ed on said support and horizontally positioned between said arms, and a conductor cord extending between said lamp and reel and adapted to be wound upon said reel when the signal lamp is in inoperative position, said lazy tongs when in collapsed position constituting a housing tor the reel.

THOMAS W. C. RUBY. 

